We’ve all been there: you picked a username when you first started playing League of Legends at 16 that now makes you cringe every time you log in, or you rebranded your streaming handle and want your in-game name to match. If you’ve found yourself asking how do i change my league of legends name, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through every part of the process, from checking name availability to fixing errors that pop up when you try to submit your new handle. We’ll also cover hidden rules you might miss if you only follow random tips from forum threads, so you don’t waste your hard-earned Blue Essence or Riot Points on a rejected request.
How Do I Change My League of Legends Name: Exact Step-by-Step Process
Even if you’ve searched for how do i change my league of legends name before and found conflicting info, these steps are the official process from Riot as of the latest client update, and they work for all regions including NA, EUW, and SEA. Changing your LoL name is straightforward if you follow these steps exactly, no matter if you play on PC or the mobile Wild Rift version (note that Wild Rift name changes are separate from PC, so you’ll need to repeat the process for each platform if you play both). First, open the Riot Client and log into the account linked to your League of Legends profile. Once logged in, click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the client, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.
From the left-hand navigation bar, pick the Riot ID tab – this is where you’ll adjust your display name across all Riot Games titles, including League, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics. You’ll see two fields: your display name (the part other players see in game) and the # followed by a 3-5 digit tagline. Edit the display name field to your desired new username, then click Save Changes. That’s the whole process, but there are a few caveats you need to know before you hit save.
Before you start, make sure you have the following ready to avoid delays:
- Access to the email linked to your Riot account, in case you need to verify your identity
- At least 1300 Riot Points (RP) or 13900 Blue Essence (BE) in your account to cover the name change fee
- A backup username idea, in case your first choice is already taken
Key Rules for Choosing a Valid New LoL Username
Riot has strict naming policies to keep the game community safe and respectful, so not every name you pick will be approved. Even if a name shows as available when you type it in, it can be rejected later for violating content policies, so it’s worth checking the rules before you spend your RP or BE. First, your name can’t include hate speech, slurs, harassment, or references to illegal activity, even if it’s a joke. Riot’s automated filter catches most of these, but even names that slip through can be reported later, forcing you to change your name for free with no refund of the fee you paid.
Second, your name can’t be longer than 16 characters, and can only include letters, numbers, spaces, and a small number of special characters like underscores and periods. You can’t use special characters that look like letters to bypass slurs or impersonate other players, either. Third, you can’t impersonate Riot staff, pro players, or public figures on purpose. If you pick a name that’s identical to a well-known LCS pro, for example, Riot may force you to change it if they receive reports of you pretending to be that person.
Finally, you can only change your Riot ID once every 90 days, so make sure you’re happy with your choice before you hit save, because you won’t be able to adjust it again for three months even if you pay extra. A lot of players miss this rule and end up stuck with a typo in their name for months, so double check your spelling before you confirm the change.
Common Issues When Changing Your LoL Name (and How to Fix Them)
Even if you follow all the steps, you might run into errors when you try to submit your new name, most of which are easy to fix on your own. The most common error is the “name not available” message, which pops up if someone else is already using the exact name and tagline combination you want. You can either pick a different name, or adjust the tagline at the end of your Riot ID to a unique number or phrase if you really want the same display name as someone else. Unlike old LoL usernames, Riot IDs let multiple people use the same display name as long as their taglines are different, so this is a great workaround if your dream name is already taken.
Another common issue is the “invalid characters” error, which happens if you use emojis, special symbols, or accented letters that Riot’s system doesn’t support. If you get this error, stick to standard English letters, numbers, and basic punctuation, and try again. If you’re sure your name follows all the rules but still gets rejected, it might be flagged by Riot’s automated filter for a hidden violation. In that case, you can submit a ticket to Riot support to request a manual review, but keep in mind that approval is not guaranteed.
The last common issue is not having enough RP or BE to cover the fee. Name changes cost 1300 RP or 13900 BE, so if you don’t have enough, you’ll need to either purchase RP with real money, or earn more BE by playing games and completing daily and weekly missions before you can change your name. You can also earn extra BE by disenchanting champion shards you don’t want from your loot chests, which is a fast way to rack up the required amount if you have a lot of unopened loot.
Is Paying for a LoL Name Change Worth It? Alternatives to Consider
For most players, the name change fee is worth it if your old name is embarrassing, no longer fits your identity, or you want to match your username across all your gaming and social media accounts. 1300 RP is roughly $10, which is a small cost for a permanent change that you’ll see every time you log into the game. If you play regularly, you can also earn enough BE for a name change in 2-3 weeks of completing daily missions, so you don’t even have to spend real money if you don’t want to. I’ve personally changed my name twice, once with RP and once with BE, and both times it felt worth it to get rid of a username I picked when I was 15.
That said, there are a few alternatives if you don’t want to pay the fee. The first is waiting for a free name change token, which Riot occasionally gives out during big account system updates, or if you were forced to change your name by Riot for violating naming policies in the past. These tokens are rare, though, so you could be waiting months or even years for one to become available. The second is creating a new account, but this is only a good idea if you’re a new player with few champions, skins, or ranked progress you don’t want to lose. If you have hundreds of dollars worth of skins or a high rank, starting over is almost always more expensive than paying for the name change.
You should never use third-party sites that claim to offer free LoL name changes – almost all of these are scams designed to steal your account login information, and using them can get your account permanently banned by Riot. It’s never worth risking the account you’ve spent years building just to save $10 on a name change. If you really can’t afford the fee, earning BE through regular play is the only safe, free way to get a name change.
At the end of the day, updating your in-game handle is a quick, low-cost process that can make your time playing League feel far more personal and fun. Now that you know the answer to how do i change my league of legends name, you can pick a name you’re proud of, avoid common mistakes that lead to rejected requests, and decide if paying the fee is the right choice for your situation. Just remember to double check the naming rules before you submit, and you’ll be showing off your new handle in your next ranked game in no time.